Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 901 to 925 of 4508 results

901. A Light in the Darkness

Illustration

King Duncan

Let me tell you a story about one of the most remarkable young men who ever lived. This young man had been left blind in both eyes by a childhood accident. In nineteenth-century France, when this young man lived, blind children had little help and few hopes. But then a kindly priest, Father Jacques Palluy, took an interest in the lad. He was amazed at the boy's intelligence and eagerness to learn....

902. Let My Little Light Shine - Sermon Starter

Illustration

King Duncan

There are all kinds of theories about how to motivate people. Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Sutton hadn't won a game in eight weeks. A critical press was suggesting that he be dropped from the starting lineup. The future looked bleak, and Sutton felt terrible. Then, before a game, Dodgers manager Walter Alston tapped him on the shoulder. "I'd like to speak with you, Don," he said. Sutton prepar...

903. New Year's Resolution

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

Purpose: To remember that outward appearances are not the most important things in life. Materials: Three small jars containing salt, sugar and flour respectively. Lesson: I have here three jars and, as you can see, each contains something white. From a distance, they all look alike; but if you were to put them to the use for which they were intended, you would see that they are very different. ...

904. Let Your Light Shine

Children's Sermon

Kenneth Mortonson

Purpose: To encourage children to share. Materials: A candle and a jar. The jar should be large enough so that it can be placed over the top of the candle when it is lighted. Lesson: Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) A person's life is like a candle. The candle can be very useful in a...

905. The Call

Sermon

Will Willimon

When I was a seminarian, in a geriatric hospital, learning to be a chaplain, this old man told me one day that he was Dwight D. Eisenhower. The nurses urged me to try to talk him out of it. I couldn't. He steadfastly insisted that he was Eisenhower. Trouble was, I had no personal acquaintance with Dwight D. Eisenhower. The man was bald, had a Midwestern accent, had been in the army, seemed harmles...

906. Epiphany 5

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

OLD TESTAMENT TEXTS Both Old Testament texts underscore the importance of integrating faith into all aspects of our lives. Isaiah 58:1-12 explores the inherent interrelationship between worship and ethics, while Psalm 112:1-9 (10) functions in praise of godliness. Isaiah 58:1-9 a (9 b-12) - "Worship and Ethics" Setting. Isaiah 58:1-12 is a critique of worship. The opening line is a question by ...

907. Out of the Darkness

Sermon

King Duncan & Angela Akers

Does anybody else have a tough time with winter darkness at this time of year? We’re still six weeks away from the start of spring, and most of the U.S. is experiencing short days and long nights. Medical studies show that people have less initiative and are more likely to get the blues during the darker winter months. It seems that most of us don’t function well without light. There’s a small to...

908. Righteous, Dude!

Sermon

John Jamison

The first thing I need to say is to point out that the story today picks up right where we left off last time. Jesus was sitting somewhere near the Sea of Galilee teaching a large crowd of people who had come to hear him. Along with the usual people who lived and worked in the villages and towns around the sea, there was a group of Pharisees and Sadducees who had been sent up from Jerusalem to che...

909. The Light from the Cliff

Sermon

Lori Wagner

[Read Revelation 21:9-23] Lake Superior is known as the most dangerous body of water in the world, particularly in November when vicious storms have sunk more than 350 ships, including the infamous Edmund Fitzgerald, whose 29 crewmen have never been found.The watery waves of the lake during the tempestuous November storms feel particularly maelstrom-like to sailors in the pitch black of night on ...

910. For Someone of Distinction

Eulogy

Richard E. Zajac

If You Build It, They Will Come [You need to describe the wonderful experiences of that person’s life and tell of the wonderful memories they’ve left behind.] There was a movie made several years back that I believe many will remember. The movie starred Kevin Costner. It was entitled A Field of Dreams. It’s a beautiful, whimsical tale of a young farmer who hears a voice from a cornfield say: “If y...

911. For Someone Who Spread Good Cheer

Eulogy

Richard E. Zajac

Saints [Tell of the many ways they brightened someone’s day, tell of how they were the ‘sunshine’ of many a life.] There was a little boy who came to church with his mom. While she was lighting candles and attempting to pray the stations of the cross, he was doing what little kids do in church, he was running around examining just about everything. After a while, she called for him and he didn’t a...

912. For Your Part

Sermon

John Jamison

I walked to the bank the other day. I made my way over to one of the desks and sat down to talk to a guy whose name tag said "Andy." I said, "Andy, I need some money, and was wondering if you could help me?" Andy smiled and said he would be glad to do what he could. I told him what I needed and he left the room for a few minutes to run the credit check and whatever else it is that they do at a tim...

913. Sermon on the Mount: Jesus Teaches on the Torah

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

Big Idea: Jesus explains his role as fulfiller and consummate teacher of the Torah (Old Testament law) and expects his disciples to live in covenantal obedience to his expression of the Torah, culminating in the call to love even one’s enemies. Understanding the Text This passage begins the body of the Sermon on the Mount and introduces Matthew’s extensive emphasis on the law. In the title sente...

914. The Fulfillment of the Law

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The body of the Sermon on the Mount begins by highlighting the disposition of Jesus and his followers in relation to the Old Testament law, or torah (5:17–48). Jesus affirms his mission to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (the Old Testament Scriptures) rather than abolish them. He warns his followers against breaking or influencingothers to break any of the torah’s commands (5:19). In fact, their ...

915. The Fulfillment of the Law

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

Sermon on the Mount: Kingdom Ethics and the Law: Matthew’s Gospel has a didactic purpose. Special emphasis is given to the message of Jesus. One of the distinct features of Matthew’s Gospel is that the teaching of Jesus is collected into five sections. The Sermon on the Mount (chaps. 5–7) is the first of these blocks. The others are Instructions to the Twelve (chap. 10), Parables of the Kingdom (c...

916. Good Reasons For Not Cheating

Sermon

King Duncan

The question on the job application read, "Have you ever been arrested?" The applicant printed the word "No" in the space. The next question was a followup to the first. It asked, "Why?" Not realizing he did not have to answer this part, one honest applicant wrote, "I guess it's because I never got caught." A Jeff Danziger cartoon shows a company president announcing to his staff, "Gentlemen, thi...

917. Prayer

Bulletin Aid

What does that Jesus want from me, anyway? I don't murder people, But of course I get angry! I may even say, "I'm mad enough to kill!" But that's just a figure of speech. I don't really mean it... Do I? I don't commit adultry, (I'm not even sure if the term means anything anymore!) But of course, I notice attractive people - And I'm attracted to them! But if I don't act on it, I'm OK... Aren't I?...

918. God Knows The Thoughts Of Our Hearts

Bulletin Aid

James Wilson

Call To Worship Leader: Let us gather together all whose joy rests in the Lord! People: For the Lord our God knows our hearts and our minds. Leader: God knows all that we are and in Christ loves and accepts us. People: Then let us walk in Christ's name, sharing God's love wherever we go. Leader: And let us sing out and give praise for God's merciful love! All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Col...

919. SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY

Bulletin Aid

First Lesson: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Theme: Choose God and live Call to Worship Pastor: God has created life in such a way, that evil cannot give the blessings which God gives to those who follow him. People: Those who follow the commandments of God are blessed with joy and happiness now and forever. Pastor: But the choice is ours whether we follow evil and perish, or choose God and live. People: ...

920. Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany

Bulletin Aid

Theme: The inner demands of God's Law Exegetical note Here begins the section of Matthew's version of the Sermon on the Mount that contains the so-called "antitheses" of Jesus concerning the Law. Having asserted that he has come to fulfill rather than abolish the Law and the prophets, Jesus proceeds to quote the Law ("You have heard it said ...") and then to intensify it ("But I say ...") by exte...

921. Epiphany 6

Sermon Aid

Liturgical Color: Green Gospel: Matthew 5:17-37 Theme: Beyond the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees - killing, adultery, divorce, and swearing. Pastoral Invitation in the Celebration One pastor began this way: "God in Christ, not only offers us a new way to think about life; God in Christ offers us a brand new way to live life. So, I invite us to find out how to do that today, in the n...

922. Sayings Of Jesus: Jesus Comes To Fulfill The Law

Drama

Dallas A. Brauninger

Suggestions: Use in ordinary sequence with the scripture reading. Characters: 9 readers - a variety of folk (Speakers read from a sitting position in their usual places in the pews.) Key: 1-9 = speakers 1: "Do not think I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish but to fulfill. 2: For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one st...

923. Dealing with AIDS

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

Theme: Believers stumble too. How does a believer handle that? Summary: A husband and wife deal with the news that the husband is HIV positive. Playing Time: 3 minutes Setting: Their home Props: None Costumes: Contemporary Time: The present Cast: Mary -- married a few years Eric -- her husband Mary: (fixing dinner as Eric enters) You're late. Eric: I know. Mary: Dinner's ready. We'll hav...

924. Robin Hood?

Drama

Robert F. Crowley

Theme: Jesus, when He taught the kingdom truths in His Sermon on the Mount, turned the values of the world upside down. Summary: Robin Hood is questioned about his practice of stealing and decides to quit. Playing Time: 6 minutes Costumes: Legendary Props: Robin -- an apple with an arrow through it Place: Sherwood Forest Time: The time of legends Cast: ROBIN HOOD FRIAR TUCK LITTLE JOHN ROB...

925. The Importance of Forgiving Others

Sermon

Archbishop’s Easter Message, read the headlines for one newspaper on Easter Monday, 1986, followed by a sub-heading in larger print, "Runcie applauds forgiving vicar." The reporter, Clifford Longley, wrote, "The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Robert Runcie, yesterday bestowed an Easter absolution on the perpetrators of the recent horrific incident in a west London vicarage." Longley was referring t...

Showing 901 to 925 of 4508 results